Redis ( REmote DIctionary Server in full) is a free and open-source, fast, high performance, and flexible distributed in-memory computing system that can be used from most if not all programming languages. In this article, we will review some of the top open-source ( application/database caching and caching proxy servers) tools for implementing server-side caching in Linux.
Why Use Caching?Ĭaching offers numerous benefits including the following:
In this regard, in-memory caching is the most effective and commonly used form of caching. Note that cache data can be stored in any storage system including a database, file, system memory, and so on but should be a faster medium than the primary source. database caching (to provide in-memory access to frequently used data such as requested database rows, query results, and other operations).application caching or memorization (used in reading files from disk, data from other services or processes or requesting data from an API, etc.).webserver caching (for caching of images, documents, scripts, and so on).There are different forms of server-level caching, they include: Thirdly, you can also implement caching at the origin or backend server(s). A common example of this type of caching is in CDNs ( Content Delivery Networks), which are globally distributed network of web proxy servers. It is a temporary storage of information about previous DNS lookups by the OS or web browser.Ĭaching can also be implemented at the network level, either in a LAN or WAN via proxies. You might have heard of the popular phrase “ clear your cache” when accessing a web application to enable you to see the latest data or content on a website or application, instead of the browser using an old copy of the content stored locally.Īnother example of client-side caching is DNS caching which happens at the operating system (OS) level. Most if not all modern browsers ship with an implementation of an HTTP cache.
Software-based cache (which is the focus of this article) may be implemented at different layers of an application stack.Ĭaching can be applied at the client-side (or at the application presentation layer), for example, browser caching or app caching (or offline mode). The data stored in a cache may include files or fragments of files (such as HTML files, scripts, images, documents, etc.), database operations or records, API calls, DNS records, etc depending on the type and purpose of caching.Ī cache can be in the form of hardware or software.
Before we go any further, let’s briefly look at what caching is, where and/or how it can be applied, and its benefits? What is Caching or Content Caching?Ĭaching (or Content Caching) is a widely-used technique of storing copies of data in a temporary storage location (also known as a cache) so that the data can be easily and quickly accessed, than when it is retrieved from the original storage. Caching is one of the many, very basic but effective application delivery techniques you can rely on. This includes tasks such as designing, testing, and implementing strategies for system/application performance, reliability, availability, and scalability, to give end users a satisfying level of service. As developers and system administrators of these systems and applications, you are expected to provide all kinds of information technology (IT) solutions that will ensure that you have the most efficient systems available. Reliable distributed computing systems and applications have become the cornerstone of prominent businesses, especially in automating and managing mission-critical business processes and delivering services to customers.